In addition to show jumping, there’s dressage and even indoor eventing! These are usually the evening events. Leading up to them are dog shows such as the K9-Equine Challenge featuring the President’s Choice\u00ae SuperDogs\u00ae, Rodeo events, Liberty events and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another really awesome part of the Royal Horse Show is the cart racing. Ranches from around North America put together their best cart-horse teams with exceptionally maintained vintage carts. Everyone dresses up in traditional attire and put on shows for the best style, form and look overall! The heavy cart horses are beautifully groomed, exceptionally trained and a wonder to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the back at the stables, they have filly and colt showings. Impeccably bred and groomed foals are walked about in front of the crowds in the back arenas for sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The horse show is the biggest event of the whole Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and it includes a VIP experience. A lot of the horse owners are part of families that have raised incredibly bred horses for generations. They’re usually all part of the VIP guest list — but you can get in too if you are willing to pay a little bit extra:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The Royal Club Experience”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you’re wanting to have a luxury experience, you can purchase the Royal Club Experience. They offer 6 packages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- 3 night in either Platinum or Gold<\/li>
- 5 night in either Platinum or Gold<\/li>
- 6 night in either Platinum or Gold<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The main difference between the Platinum and Gold packages are the locations of the seats for the horse shows. Included in all of the packages are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Premium seats for all horse shows.<\/li>
- Members-only Tanbark Club access for dinner.<\/li>
- Access to the infamous horse show after-party.<\/li>
- Premium parking area underground.<\/li>
- Exclusive subscriber-only special events invitations.<\/li>
- Concierge service for restaurant reservations, free Tanbark Club coat check & personal assistance.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Check out the Royal Horse Show website for full details: http:\/\/www.royalfair.org\/horseshow.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"the](\"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/the-infamous-royal-horse-show-afterparty.jpg\" "\\"the")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n“Royal” Quality Shopping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I’m not going to lie – one of my favorite parts of the show are the vendors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You have exceptional, independent brands from all over the world to show-case their equestrian equipment, apparel and accessories. Though some can be quite pricy, the quality is the best I’ve ever seen all in one place and you’ll also get every type of look you could want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zach (my boyfriend) and I both got our newest Western riding boots there<\/a>, and I have a dressage jacket from there too. Yes, it was pricy but everything we bought is still in excellent condition to this day, even though that was years ago. Really, it hasn’t shown any signs of wearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, I have to also mention the food. There are the not-so-great pizza and hot dogs, yes — I mean, it’s a fair. But there’s also independent vendors with candy apples, freshly made real hot chocolate and meats and cheeses that are locally sourced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, there’s a wine competition and with the show being only an hour or so away from Niagara’s prime wine country – you can be sure that the wines are terrific, if you’re an avid wine drinker yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Children’s Events<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The main halls are where all the farm animals are held. It’s pretty amazing actually, to drag all these animals into Toronto. I don’t know how I feel about the dragging the animals out but once they’re all there – it’s amazing to see. And it’s also a great environment because all the ranchers and farmers are out together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to showcasing some of the best bred goats, lambs, milking cows and more exotic, specialty farm animals, there’s sections with activities for the kids:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- President’s Choice\u00ae Animal Theatre<\/strong><\/strong><\/li>
- Burnbrae Farms\u2122 Food & Lifestyle Stage<\/strong><\/li>
- Pizza Pizza\u00ae Petting Farm<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
These are all events that are aimed at show-casing the amazing feats that animals can do. There’s dog shows including dog herding, tricks, and even jumping. There’s also a petting area with animals from llamas to ponies. And there’s ongoing presentations about healthy eating, food preparation and cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remember last year when I was there, one of the little boys from the audience was up with the chef making a recipe! It was really sweet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
See You There!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As someone who’s loved the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair since I was a kid and go every year, I’m obviously biased to how awesome it is. But here’s the link to the main overall website so you can take a look and get more details for yourself: http:\/\/www.royalfair.org\/index.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"the](\"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/the-royal-horse-show-has-everything-from-show-jumping-to-rodeo.jpg\" "\\"the")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nI’m hoping that over the next few years as Equestrian Boots & Bridles grows a little more and we expand our inventory and do a bigger launch of our own apparel and equipment lines that we’ll be able to participate as a vendor. Fingers crossed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I’m writing this, by the way, there’s just over 200 days till the show and I’m already getting excited just thinking about it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I attend each year and this one will be no different so comment below if you’re heading there and I’ll see you there \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also if you have any questions about the show let me know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cheers,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Martina<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Burnbrae Farms\u2122 Food & Lifestyle Stage<\/strong><\/li>
- President’s Choice\u00ae Animal Theatre<\/strong><\/strong><\/li>